Razor-sharpening machine.



R. c. M CALEB. RAZOR SHARPENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 15, 19l5.

Patented June 13, 1916.

2 SHEETSQSHEET 1.

Jaw/QM Attorneys R. C. McCALEB.

RAZOR SHARPENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. is. 1915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Atto rn eys Inventor ROBERT C. MGCALEB, OF. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

RAZOR-SHARP ENING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application filed September 15, 1915. Serial No. 50,872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT C. MoCALEB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Razor-Sharpening Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for sharpening razor blades.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel means for actuating the blade holders, so that the blades in the blade holders may be made to cooperate properly with the sharpening elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type in which the blade holders are mounted for reversible rocking movement, to permit the blade holders to coiiperate with sharpening elements carried by the adjacent faces of a pair of disks, the disks and portions of the blade supporting means being provided with inter-engaging elements whereby reversible rocking movement may be imparted to the blade holders.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby the blade holder is mounted upon its support in such a manner as to accommodate blades of different widths, and to permit a blade in the holder to coact properly with the side face of the sharpening member.

It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

lVith the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood thatchangcs in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings F-Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section whereby sundry parts appear in elevation; Fig. 3 is a plan disclosing one of the sharpening disks; Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective showing one of the actuating members or cams which are carried by the sharpening disks; Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the means whereby the sharpenlng dlsks and other portions of the structure' are mounted upon the drive shaft; Fig. 6 is a fragmental vertical section taken at right angles to the cutting plane in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of one of the actuating members or cams; Fig. 8 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the means whereby the actuating members or cams are adjustably connected with the sharpening disks; Fig. 9 is a fragmental section showing a portion of the hub which receives the blade holding shafts; Fig. 10 1s a perspective of one of the blade holding shafts; Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the element shown in Fig. 10; F ig. 12 is a sectional detail illustrating a modified form of blade holding means; Fig. 13 is a cross section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a perspective delineating a modified form of blade holder.

In carrying out the invention. there is provided 'a support embodying a pair of side frames denoted in Fig. 2 by the reference character 1. The side frames 1, embody as shown in Fig. 1, diverging legs 2 merging into a hub 3. Radiating from each hub 3 are arms 4 supporting an annular frame 5.

Comparing Figs. 5, 2 and 1, it will be observed that a drive shaft 6 is provided, the ends 7 of the drive shaft 6 being journaled for rotation in the hubs?) of the supporting structure. Secured to the drive shaft 6 is a drive wheel 8 about which may be passed a belt 9, although if desired any other suitable means may be provided for rotating the drive shaft; In the drawings the drive shaft 6 is shown as squared atone end to receive a crank. Intermediate its ends, the drive shaft 8 is provided with a shoulder 11 against which abuts a disk 10, constituting a sharpening member, the disk 10 being provided with a hub 12 which incloses the drive shaft 6. Disposed in parallel relation to the disk 10 is a disk 14 provided with a hub 15, the hub 15 of the disk 14 and the hub 12 of the disk 10 being halved together as shown at 16 whereby the disks 10 and 14 are connected for simultaneous rotation. The drive shaft 6 is threaded adjacent one end as shown at 17, the threaded portion 17 of the drive shaft receiving a nut 18 which, bearing against the disk '14 holds the halved portions 16 of the hubs of the disks 14 and 10 together and presses the disk 10 against the shoulder 11 on the drive shaft 8. Thus, both disks are operatively connected with the shaft 7 to rotate therewith when the latter is rotated by means of the drive wheel 8 or a crank and the belt 9 or their mechanical equivalents.

Applied to the adjacent faces of each of the disks 10 and 14 is an abrasive element 19 which may be a strip of leather or the like, each abrasive element 19 preferably being of semi-circular form, as Fig. 6 will most clearly show. Mounted upon the adjacent or inner faces of the disks 10 and 14 are actuating members 20 of curved form, the ends of the actuating members 20 being inclined as shown at 21, so that the actuating members in effect act as cams. As shown in Fig. 7, each actuating member or cam 20'is provided upon its inner face with a plurality of openings 22, adapted to receive, in threaded engagement, screws 23 journaled for rotation in the disks 10 or 14, reference being had to Fig. 8 for a clear understanding of the details last above outlined. The screws 23 are provided at their outer ends with heads 24 coacting with the outer faces of the disks 10 and 14. Compression springs surround the screws 23, the outer ends of the compression springs 25 bearing against the respective disks, and the inner ends of the compression springs bearing against the actuating members or cams 20, the latter elements if desired being recessed as shown at 26 in Fig. 8 to receive the inner ends of the compression springs 25.

Surrounding the interfitting hubs 15 and 12 of the sharpening disks is a support 27 preferably in the form of a hub embodying sleeves 27 against which the disks l0 and 14 abut. The hub 27 is not secured to the hubs 15 and 12 of the sharpening disks. In its periphery, the hub or support 27 is notched as shown at 28 to define a plurality of shoulders 29 in which openings 30 are formed, the axes of the openings 30 being parallel to the side face of the hub 27. In this connection it is to be noted that, as indicated in Fig. 9, the openings 30' are not disposed radially with respect to the hub 27 but define acute angles with respect to the radii of the hub.

In the openings 30 of the hub 27 and in the fixed annular frame 5 are journaled for rocking movement, shafts 32, the bearing ends of which are denoted by the reference character 31. Each of the shafts 32 is pro vided with an eccentric portion 33, these eccentric portions 33 being adapted to coact with the disk-carried cams 20 in a manner which will be pointed out hereinafter. Secured to each shaft 32 is a blade holder 34 of arched form. A pivot element 35 unites each blade holder 34 with its shaft. In practical operation, the sharpening disks 10 and 14 are rotated by means of the drive shaft 6 and the drive wheel 8 or its equivalent. The hub 27 and the frame 5 remain fixed. l/Vhen the disks 10 and 14 are rotated, the cams 20 thereon engage with the eccentric portions 33 of the shafts 32 and impart a reversible rocking movement to the shafts, the blade holders on the shafts being brought successively into engagement with the abrasive elements 19 on the disks by the action of the respecti e cams 20. In this manner, a group of blade holders are first swung toward the abrasive element 19 on one disk and then toward the abrasive element on the other ment 19.

'he pressure exerted by the cams 20 against the eccentric portions 33 of the shafts 32 and consequently the pressure exerted by the blades in the holders 34 against the abrasive elements 19 may be adjusted by rotating the screws 23, thereby to vary the compressive effort of the springs 25.

It is to be observed, referring particu larly to Fig. 6 that the blade holders 34 are not all disposed at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the shaft 6, but are placed in spiral form with respect to the said axis. Consequently, all portions of the abrasive elements 19 are rendered effective, and the blades in the respective holders are prevented from sweeping across the abrasive elements 19 in alinement.

Attention is directed to the fact that the shafts 32 and consequently the blade holders 34 are not disposed radially of the disks 10 and 14. As a consequence, the abrasive element 19 when it coacts with the blades in the blade holders 34 exerts a diagonal or angular sharpening action upon the blades as distinguished from a sharpening action at right angles to the cutting edges of the blades, 7

In Fig. 12 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is shown. The shaft 36 corresponds to the shaft Applied the shaft 36 and extended transversely thereof is an arched strip 37 provided with resilient ears 38 receiving pivotally the ends ofbails 39 passing through ears 40 formed at the ends of a support 41 preferably taking the form of a bowed spring. An arched blade holder 41 is shown and by means of a pivot element 43, the blade holder 42 is mounted upon the spring 41 to swing thereon. A resilient tongue 44 is struck from the strip 37 and extends through an opening 45 in the shaft 36. The tongue 44 bears upon the pivot element 43 or upon some accessible portion of the support 41. Owing to the presence of the pivot element 43, the blade holder 42 is permitted to tilt so that the blade therein will cooperate properly with the abrasive elements on the sharpening disks. It is to be observed, further, that, owing to the presence of the spring 41, the blade holder 42 is permitted to move t ward and away from the shaft In this manner, blades of different widths may be accommodated, the function of the spring tongue 44 being to thrust the holder outwardly so that the blade therein will coact with the abrasive elements on the disks.

hen a thin blade is to be sharpened, the structure shown in Fig. 14 may be resorted to. This modification embodies pair of jaws 46 terminating in handles 47, the parts 46 and 47 of the respective parts of the holder being hingedly connected in any desired manner as shown at 50. The handles 47 may be provided with laterally extended finger pieces 48 facilitating the opening of the jaws 46. The jaws 46 adiacent their outer ends may be equipped with resilient facing strips 49 adapted to receive and hold the blade which is to be sharpened. The blade holder shown in Fig. 1-4, when the constituent parts thereof are folded together. is adapted to be placed in the holder 34 of Fig. or in the holder42 of Fig. 12.

The cams and the eccentric portions of the shafts 32 may be described as interengaging elements which onset to produce a reversible rocki movement in the shafts 32.

Especial attention is directed to the fact that the machine herein disclosed permits a slow speed grinding of razor blades, thus preventing an overheating of the blades, owing to their thinness, the sharpening process, nevertheless, being carried out in a comparatively short space of time, owing to the large number of blades which handled at once.

Having thus described what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure embodying sides and an annular frame supported by the sides; drive shaft journaled in the sides; spaced sharpening members secured to the drive shaft; a hub located between the sharpenin, members, the shaft being rotatable in the hub: other shafts. the outer ends of which are iournaled in the annular frame, the inner ends of which are journaled in the hub. the shafts comprising eccentric portions; blade holders carried by said other shafts; and cams upon the inner faces of the sharpening members, the cams being adapted to coact with the eccentric portions of said the invention.

of the shafts. the cams and the eccentric portions of the shaft constituting interengaging elements for imparting a reversible rocking movement to the shafts; and means for yieldably connecting the cams with the sharpening members for movement toward and away from the sharpening members.

3. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure; spaced sharpening members jo'urnaled thereon; shafts mounted on the supporting structure between the sharpening members for reversible rocking movement the shafts being provided with eccentric portions; blade holders on the shafts and adapted to coact with the sharpening members when the shafts are rocked; cams coacting with the eccentric portions of the shafts, the cams and the eccentric portions of the shafts constituting interengaging elements for imparting reversible rocking movement to the shafts; and means for connecting the cams with the sharpening members adjustably, whereby the cams sharpening members.

4. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure; spaced sharpening members thereon; shafts mounted for reversible rocking movement on the supporting structure between the sharpening members, the shafts being provided with eccentric portions; blade holders on the shafts and adapted to coaet with the sharpening members when the shafts are rocked; cams coacting with the eccentric portions of the shafts, the cams and the eccentric portions of the shafts constituting interengaging elements for imparting a reversible rocking movement to the shafts; adjustable connections between the cams and the sharpening members; and springs interposed between the cams and the sharpening members.

5. In a device of the class described. a

supporting structure; spaced sharpening & 1,187,354

the shafts and the sharaening members for shafts are rocked; interengaging elements 60 imparting a reversible rocking movement to on the shafts and on the sharpening memthe shafts. hers for imparting a reversible rocking 6. In a device of the class described, a movement to the shafts; and means for consupporting structure; spaced disks ournaled necting the blade holders with the shafts for on the supporting structure; abrasive mem-' bodily movement toward and away from the 65 bers mounted on the adjacent side members sharpening members thereby to compensate of the disks; shafts mounted for reversible for different Widths of blades. rocking movement on the supporting struc- 10. In a demos of the class described a 10 ture and blade holders on the shafts, the supporting structure; spaced sharpening blade holders being adapted to coact with mem ers journal-ed thereon; shafts mounted 70 the respecti e abrasive members When the for reversible rocl-iing m vement on the suprocking movement of the shafts is reversed, porting struct .re between the sharpening the shafts and the blade holders being dismembers; blade holders adapted to coact l5 posed at acute angles to the radii of the with the sharpening members when the disks; and interengap'ing elements on the 1 *e rocl ed; interengaging elements on 75 the sharpening members for shafts and on the disks for imoarting a reversible rocking movement to the shafts. coking movement to 7. in a device of the class describe l, a e which each blade supportin structure; spaced disks ournaled on the supporting structure; abrasive mem- 1 s ting each support with 80 mounted on tl e adjacent side a! nt toward and away the disks; shafts nounted reversible 'harpenins members thereby to rocking movement on the supporting strucnmodate of dilierent Widths. ture; and blade holders on the shaits, the n a device or the class described, co-

blade holder mechanisms, one of Which com- 83 b adapted to couct \viti the respective abrasive members \vl a pr :iaft the other of which comprises rocking movement of he shafts is reversed, i disks between which the blade holders being disposed on the seve I a supporting structure eral shafts in spiral form with respect to to which one of the said cooperating mechthe center of rotation of the dis is; and inanisms is secured .v l1 other of said coopeu 90 terenga 'ing elements on the shafts and on ating mechanisms being mounted to move the disks for imparting reversible rocking on the supnor incur-e with respect to nism; a blade holder on 8. ln a device of the class described, a the t t being mounted for restructure; spaced disksjournaled rocking movement, to permit the 9 supporting structure; abrasive memblade holder to rate With either disk; rs mounted on the adjacent side faces of and interengaging elements on the disks and the disks; shafts mounted for reversible on said shaft for imparting a reversible 4O rocking movement in the supporting struerocking movement to the shaft.

ture; and lade holders on the shafts, the 12. in 2* device of the class described, a 100 movement to the shafts. the said fixed nice CJI blade holders being adapted to coact with supporting structure; a disk carried by the the respecti asive menbers when the supporting structure; a plurality of shafts abr rocking movement of the shafts is reversed, connected with the supporting structure;

the biade holders and the shafts being dismeans for producing" relative rotary moveposed at acute angles the radii the merit between the disk and the shafts; an 105 disks the blace holders being mounted upon abrasive member on the disk; and blade holders on the shafts and adapted to coact the several sha ts in spiral form W1 sheet to the e rer of rotation or t'ufi with the abrasive members, the blade holders and intercn gi n elements on the :zeing disposed in spiral forn with respc and the (u tor imparting a reverslble to center c't'sthe abrasive member. 110

rocking movem nt to the slaits. in testimony that I claim the foregoing 9. in a device oi the class described a as my own, i have hereto afiived my signasupportmg structure; spaced sharpening ture in the presence of two ivltnesses.

members journaled thereon; shafts mounted A for reversible rocking movement on the sup- ROBERT C. MOCALEB. porting structure between the slmrpeningl vitnesses: members; blade holders adapted to coact E. S. BUSHNELL, with the sharpening members When the M. LEWIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

